Number of stories: 744
Iceland Stole My Wallet. And My Heart.
by xteethx - Jun 02, 2010
I took the risk and left my purse under a table at Hressingarskálinn to go dance the night away. Iceland *used* to be known for having a low crime rate but with the kreppa, thievery has been on the rise. One person I talked to at the Blue Lagoon had the unfortunate experience of getting his jacket stolen at the bar and had to walk back to his hotel in the freezing cold.
Alas, it was the last night on our school's international reporting trip last March in 2009 and we wanted to experience the night life in Reykjavik. In short, expect fun and some pushing around, especially if you're in a crowded bar with inebriated folks.
When I got back to our table, we discovered some of our wallets were stolen although nothing else was taken from our purses. Of course I was bummed out about it but I didn't have anyone to blame except for myself.
I canceled my credit cards and filed a police report which was an amusing experience in itself. Everyone is just so nice in Iceland including the cops. The police officer I talked to patiently and politely recorded everything and gave me a copy of the report. I couldn't pronounce or spell the name of the bar where it was stolen so I showed him the photo of the bar's name on an awning. My other classmate who interviewed the police chief for her story left with a Jar City DVD and a DVD of the police choir. Where else in the world would the cops give you gifts after you do an interview with them?
Over and over again, Icelanders have shown me their kindness and hospitality while I was there and I'll never forget it. After I interviewed an economics professor in Akranes, he treated me to a nice lunch and took such care to clarify and follow up on the interview. On a whim, a bartender packed up my friends and I in his huge Land Rover to try to see the Northern lights after he closed the bar. (We couldn't see anything since it was too cloudy)
Everyone I interviewed, students, housewives and bankers, have been so open and willing to share their story with me and answer my questions. My other classmates came back with stories of how they were invited over for dinner at farmers' homes.
And I guess that's why I wasn't so upset when my wallet was stolen; I can't let the actions of one person ruin the wonderful experience I had in Iceland. The generosity and hospitality of Icelanders have truly touched me and I'm so grateful for all those I've met.
When we came back to the U.S., my classmate's wallet was found and actually mailed back to her. For me, I'll still have plenty of invaluable memories of kindness to keep; I'll never forget Iceland and the people I've met there.
Alas, it was the last night on our school's international reporting trip last March in 2009 and we wanted to experience the night life in Reykjavik. In short, expect fun and some pushing around, especially if you're in a crowded bar with inebriated folks.
When I got back to our table, we discovered some of our wallets were stolen although nothing else was taken from our purses. Of course I was bummed out about it but I didn't have anyone to blame except for myself.
I canceled my credit cards and filed a police report which was an amusing experience in itself. Everyone is just so nice in Iceland including the cops. The police officer I talked to patiently and politely recorded everything and gave me a copy of the report. I couldn't pronounce or spell the name of the bar where it was stolen so I showed him the photo of the bar's name on an awning. My other classmate who interviewed the police chief for her story left with a Jar City DVD and a DVD of the police choir. Where else in the world would the cops give you gifts after you do an interview with them?
Over and over again, Icelanders have shown me their kindness and hospitality while I was there and I'll never forget it. After I interviewed an economics professor in Akranes, he treated me to a nice lunch and took such care to clarify and follow up on the interview. On a whim, a bartender packed up my friends and I in his huge Land Rover to try to see the Northern lights after he closed the bar. (We couldn't see anything since it was too cloudy)
Everyone I interviewed, students, housewives and bankers, have been so open and willing to share their story with me and answer my questions. My other classmates came back with stories of how they were invited over for dinner at farmers' homes.
And I guess that's why I wasn't so upset when my wallet was stolen; I can't let the actions of one person ruin the wonderful experience I had in Iceland. The generosity and hospitality of Icelanders have truly touched me and I'm so grateful for all those I've met.
When we came back to the U.S., my classmate's wallet was found and actually mailed back to her. For me, I'll still have plenty of invaluable memories of kindness to keep; I'll never forget Iceland and the people I've met there.
